This is a post with nothing to do with anime so I expect only one person will be reading this post.

It was a big day in the Linux world. Gnome3 was released and as soon as it hit the Arch Linux testing repo I just had to get it.

And after downloading and installing, it broke my install.

Forgivable because my install was nearly dead anyway.

I take a backup of my two main computers about twice a month, so no problem.

So after a fresh arch linux install with brand freaking new gnome shell installed… I am greeted by a decently usable desktop.

It certainly looks nice enough, the new gtk3 is easy on the eyes – although there seems to be no way to seamlessly change themes at this point, perhaps there is a workaround in gconf somewhere . Gnome shell does not look like you can change the theme either – but once again – there is probably a value somewhere in gconf.

The gnome programs are the same stack so no need to say anything there. Exept that I hate Empathy and ditched it on the spot in favor of pidgin. Also chromium > midori.

One thing I do miss from the gnome 2.x series is compiz. Not because I miss the nice graphical effects but rather I miss the extreme amount of control I had. Like making windows tile in certain ways and making the button on the side of my mouse toggle maximization state.

The built in effects that mutter has aren’t bad, but once again I face a lack of control on how they work. The effects that compiz people use are often too over the top – and while that’s fine if you want to show off – it makes the whole experience like punching through jello.

And another thing that bothers me, the notification area sits weirdly in the corner – and that’s not the worse part.

All you see is the icons when you first raise the bar. And when you hover over each one they expand to show the name of the program. Which does not seem like it would be a problem, but it throws off where you see the icon and where it’s going to end up when you get there. And because of the fact that you must start all the way from the bottom right-hand corner you end up expanding everything in your path.

 

I think, because you have the entire screen to work with they should just stay open as long as space permits – but is there an option to do so? No.

Also, those stupid ads that pop up when you are surfing on the web?!? You can’t close them any more and you can’t do anything with the window when they are open. Unbelievable.

I can’t even change the corner that activates the activities view and multiple desktops feel harder to assess and access despite the fact that nothing has really changed.

Actually, the activities menu is one of the few things there that are well done – opening programs is just easier and faster now and I was already used to the concept of a dock. Although usually i’d put my dock on the other side.

Also the new nautilus is yet another step in the right direction, just a few cosmetic changes there – but it does make a difference.

And having Evolution’s calendar be put in the clock bar was a pretty genius idea. It’s actually really useful to have a calendar that automatically has all my school and personal events, as well as when all important anime airs. It’s spring break for me now, so it’s understandably mostly only anime.

Anyway, just because we have a new and improved start menu and a better notification system and  flashy new looks does not mean you can lock up window management worse than windows. We can’t even have a minimize button any more, I use that thing you know.

I guess that the new gnome experience is not completely horrible, it’s passable at least – but this is my computer(serious busness), and if I can’t be satisfied then it’s time to bring out the chainsaw package manager and kill it with fire.

I am a control freak, how am I to survive in this new age of simplification? Oh I know, I could ditch gnome altogether!

If my feelings don’t change by the time shell hits the stable repos (because even though it has been officially released and it feels as study as rocks covered in sheet metal it still falls into the category of “testing”… Yes I am aware that keeping my computer synced to the testing repo is suicide) then I am going to pull out my old openbox configs or (Awesome WM config, if I am feeling lucky) and have a party!

There will be cake.

EDIT: Natty Narwhal released today, congratulations Ubuntu! I can’t say I like your unity interface either.